Improvement in amalgamating the precious metals



. L. R. STREETER.

Amalgamator. No. 12,988 Patented May 29, 1855.

UNITED STATES PATENT 'OFFICE.

LEANDEB R. STREEIER, OF LOW'ELL, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO LEANDER R.STREETER AND IRA LEONARD.

IMPROVEMENT IN AMALGAMATING THE PREClOUS METALS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. l2,988, dated May 29,1855.

To (LZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEANDER R. STREETER, of the city of Lowell, countyof Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new andImproved Mode of Amalgamating upon Ores of Gold, Silver, and Platina;and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exactdescription thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing andto the letters of reference marked thereon.

The nature of my invention consists in forcing mercury into an air-tightor mercury-tight chamber or receiver, after said chamber has been filledwith the ore to be amalgamated, at any degree of pressure required todiffuse the mercury through every part of the ore, obtaining therequired pressure by first exhausting the air from the receiver after itis sup plied with ore, and next by forcing the mercury with aproperly-constructed exhaust and force pump through all the intersticesof the ore.

To enable others interested to use my invention, I will proceed todescribe its operation.

I construct my chamber or receiver in any form that is mercury-tight,and any convenient form of exhausting the air, (if desirable,) and alsoany conveuientform of forcing the mercury into the ore in the chamberare to b used.

The accompanying drawing and following description will correctlyillustrate'the principles and action of my invention; but I do notconfine myself to the precise details therein set forth, provided I useany other means which are substantially the same.

A represents a mercury-tight cylinder. is the support for the same.

0 is a movable cap or cover, which must be packed so as to fit thecylinder mercurytight.

D is an exhausting air-pump fastened to the cap 0 and communicating withthe inside of cylinder A.

E is a suction and forcing pump fastened to cap 0 and communicating withthe inside of cylinder A and mercury-fountain G.

F is the mercury-tube, with a valve at K, which prevents the return ofthe mercury to the fountain, when once raised.

G is the fountain.

H and I are stop-cocks.

First, fill the cylinder A full of ore to be amalgamated, then place thecap 0 in position and secure it firmly by means of screws or otherwise,now exhaust the air from the cy1- inder by the pump D, leaving thestop-cocks H I open until the air is exhausted from the mercury-tube Fand the tube is filled with mercury, then close I, and, with Hopen,exhaust the air from cylinder A. Now close H and open I, and with thepump E fill the cylinder with mercury to the required degree ofpressure. This process amalgamates the ore with the mercury perfectly,leaving no particle of the metal unamalgamated.

\Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

The forcing mercury at any required degree of pressure into ores to beamalgamated when the ores are inclosed in a mercury-tight cylinder orreceiver, substantially as and for the purpose as herein set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my signature this 28th day ofFebruary, A. D. 1855.

L. a. srnn nrne,

In presence of- PETER POWERS, O. E. CUSHING.

